- Sending a thank-you note is a way to express gratitude for an interviewer's time.
- This note can be sent via email and doesn't need to be a physical card.
- Three career coaches told Insider why sending thank-you notes is important in today's labor market.
The job-search process is like dating, Julia Firestone, the founder and CEO of her eponymous career-coaching and consulting firm, said.
When you go on a date with someone you really like, you're going to follow up afterward, she added. The same mentality should apply to post-interview thank-you notes, Firestone said. These are messages to interviewers where the candidate expresses gratitude for their time.
There has been debate over whether this practice should be taken into consideration when hiring a candidate, and now it appears the tradition may be going out of fashion. However, while the job market remains competitive and tumultuous, candidates should be doing everything in their power to stand out in the hiring process, three career coaches told Insider. They agreed that sending a thank-you note is a great way to do just that.
"It's both a quick way to show off your communication and people skills, and it's another chance for you to share your talents and passion for the job," Ken Coleman, a career coach at the financial-planning company Ramsey Solutions and radio host of "The Ken Coleman Show," said.
A thank-you note shows interest
Sending a thank-you note shows employers that you're interested in the position, Stacy Moore, a career coach for the online-education platform Emeritus, said.
"Thank-you notes not only show your appreciation but also give you an opportunity to reiterate your interest and why you'd be a great fit for the role," Moore added in a written statement. She also noted that the practice is "almost always a good idea" and some recruiters find it more powerful than a cover letter.
While recruiters might not expect the thank-you note, they will always appreciate it, Firestone said.
"It's an easy way to put an exclamation point on your excitement for the opportunity and highlight your professionalism in one short note," Coleman added.
Keep it 'short and sweet'
Candidates should express their gratitude for the interviewer's time, reiterate their interest and skills, point out something about the role that they discussed, and offer their availability for follow-up questions, Coleman and Firestone said.
"When you send that follow-up, keep it short and sweet," Firestone said.
Additionally, when sitting down to write your thank-you note, consider whether an email is better than a physical note.
"I recommend following up quickly — within 24 hours of the interview — with a personalized thank-you note," Moore said. Since many workplaces are hybrid today, or may not share a physical address, an email is best, she added.
While it's preferable to send the note on the day of your interview, better late than never should be job seekers' policy on this practice, Firestone said.
"You might take a little bit longer if you're sharing other follow-ups, like references," Firestone said. "It's still an opportunity to have that touchpoint, even if it's a week or two after that interview."
Job seekers get something out of it, too
Sending a thank-you note can give a job seeker insight into the company, Firestone said. If you don't get a response to your note, and you haven't received any updates on the job, then that could be a sign the firm isn't a good fit, she said.
"Either trust that they're working on it or unfortunately, trust that this might be a learning experience about this organization's culture or capacity," Firestone said. "Maybe you dodged a bullet in terms of getting ghosted."
Alternatively, it can be a positive sign to receive a note of appreciation from the employer for your time, she added. Overall, a post-interview thank-you note can give both the employer and the candidate a better understanding of each other's values, Firestone and Coleman agreed.
"Not only are you looking for the person who can deliver results, but you're also looking for a culture fit," Coleman said. "A well-crafted thank-you note conveys professionalism and gratitude. There's real value in that."